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Lesson 2

Judgment Must Begin

(Daniel 12, Matthew 7-8, Genesis 3)

Introduction: "Judgment." Here is a word on which opinions differ. If
we are talking about someone else who has done something to harm us,
well, judgment is a very good thing. On the other hand, if we are
talking about our own judgment, we shrink from that. Many people who
want to be sure wicked people are judged here, deny that God will
have a final judgment. Our fear of judgment arises from our fear
that we will not "pass" whatever standard is imposed. If God has a
judgment, what is His standard for "passing?" Let's jump into the
Bible to see what it has to say about this most important topic!

Judgment Time

Last week we learned about the controversy between Satan
and God. We learned that Satan accuses us and Jesus stands
up for us and makes a way for us to have eternal life with
God. What good does it do for Satan to accuse us?

If Satan is right, what does it get him?

If Satan is right about us, where would it get us?

Why would Satan even take the time to accuse us?

Read Daniel 12:1-3. What does Daniel say about our options
for the future?

How attractive do you find "shame and everlasting
contempt?"

Read Matthew 8:10-12. What alternatives for the future
does Jesus mention? (Feasting with Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob in heaven or being tossed outside into darkness.)

What are those who are rejected doing? (Weeping and
gnashing their teeth.)

What do you notice about the way Daniel 12:2 and Matthew 8:12 describe those who are judged unfit for heaven? (Both
describe the mental attitude of the lost. They feel shame
and contempt. They are exceedingly sad and regretful.)

What does that suggest about our decision-making in
regard to judgment? (It suggests that this is an
important decision about which we do not want to make
a mistake!)

Why would Satan want to collect a bunch of people who were
shamed, contemptible, extremely sad and feeling remorse?
(Perhaps because that is how he feels. It is the old, "You
think you're so good, well, you are one [fill in the
blank] too." Perhaps it is because Satan is a "spoiler."
Perhaps it is because he wants to embarrass God. Perhaps
all three.)

Read John 3:16. In addition to the mental distress felt by
those who are rejected, what else happens to them? (They
"perish.")

Read Genesis 3:1-4. On what important point did Satan lie
to Eve? (The first lie made by Satan to humans was that
they would not die.)

Is death still the penalty for distrusting and
disobeying God?

Read Matthew 8:28-29. Who do you think was speaking
through these men? (Demons - evil angels serving Satan.)

What understanding did these demons have of judgment?
(That there was an "appointed time" for it.)

Judgment Preparation

As a lawyer, I spend a great deal of time thinking about
"judgment." In every case I have, I ask myself, "What must
I prove to win?" Everyone does something similar.
Whatever your line of work, you consider, "What must I
create to have an acceptable product?" What would be the
point of learning that God has a judgment if we did not
also learn the basis on which God will judge us?

Let's look at a couple of extended discussions about the
judgment which Jesus has shared with us. Read Matthew 7:13-14. What are the odds that we will put together the
right preparation for judgment? (This is serious business,
most people are going to fail "to pass" the judgment. The
odds are against being saved.)

Read Matthew 7:15-20. How does Jesus say that we should
decide when we are looking for someone to give us help in
understanding God? (By their "fruit." What comes out of
their life. What results from their life.)

Do these false prophets know they are not saved? (The
text says, "inwardly they are ferocious wolves." You
would think that they would know since they try to
pass themselves off to others as being saved.)

What do these false prophets have to do with the wide
and narrow gates? (The Bible Exposition Commentary
points out "There are false prophets at the gate that
leads to the broad way, making it easy for people to
enter." Just because you have a spiritual advisor or
a prophet, does not mean you are going to make the
correct choice.)

Read Matthew 7:21-23. Do these people know they are lost?
(No. These people believe they are saved. Notice a point
we considered above. They tell God that they prophesied
"in [His] name." Thus, at least some prophets are deceived
about whether they are saved.)

Do you think these are "false" prophets?

Consider this a moment. Few are saved and you can believe
you are saved and be wrong. This is worrisome!

Let's look at Matthew 7:21-23 very closely. What does
Jesus say is not sufficient to be saved? (Calling on Him
as Lord.)

Does this mean that simply believing in Jesus is not
enough to meet the standards of the judgment?

What does Jesus say IS sufficient to meet the
standards of the judgment? (Doing "the will of my
Father.")

Does this mean we should throw out our
"righteousness by faith" belief because works
are what Jesus is specifically seeking?

What argument do these lost people make? Why do they
argue they are entitled to a favorable judgment?
(Works! Not just works, but very high level works
that appear to be in partnership with God.)

Do you think these people are lying about what
they have done? (No. Otherwise, I would expect
Jesus to say, "That is not true.")

Where does that leave us? Neither acknowledging God,
nor works are sufficient to meet the standards of the
judgment? No wonder so many miss the mark!

Let's look at this text again. Read Matthew 7:23. Jesus
tells them they failed in the judgment because "I never
knew you." Is this the key to salvation?

Can a person have "works" and not know Jesus?

Can a person believe and have faith in Jesus without
knowing Him?

If knowing Jesus is so important to the judgment, how
can we know Jesus?

Read Matthew 7:24-26. We have two men. Tell me what they
have in common? (They are both motivated to build a house.
They both built a house.)

Do you think the houses looked similar?

What was the practical difference? (Read Luke 6:47-48. The foundation. The one man "dug down deep and
laid the foundation on rock.")

Read Matthew 7:27. What is the result of not having a
solid foundation?

What does the storm represent? (Ultimately, God's
judgment.)

Read Matthew 7:24 and Luke 6:47. What makes all the
difference in the judgment? Why does one person "pass" and
another does not? (The standard for the judgment is
whether we submit to God's authority.)

What makes the difference in the judgment here?
(Whether you are wearing a wedding robe.)

Does this wedding-judgment story conflict with the
storm-judgment story? (No. Everyone is invited. The
father of the bride provides acceptable garments to
everyone - whether or not they can "afford" them. We
often say that this wedding garment is Jesus'
righteousness. But, as the New Bible Commentary says,
"there is no place for those who will not take their
privilege seriously.")

Friend, how about you? Are you merely listening to God's
word? Or, are you taking His words seriously, getting to
know His words and obeying them? Are you digging that
deep foundation on the rock of knowing God's word?

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